Table 1 Attributes and levels used in discrete choice experiment

Employment location

Employment location refers to medical and health service institutions or other work units in various cities, counties or towns

County

City

Bianzhi

Jobs with bianzhi are government-guaranteed positions with lifetime employment and the employees cannot be dismissed by their employers. Bianzhi positions are highly valued by the Chinese people because of additional benefits of the position and the sense of belonging it fosters

No

Yes

Working environment

Work environment mainly refers to social environment such as organisational atmosphere and employee relations

Relatively poor

Ordinary

Relatively good

Career development prospects

Career prospects generally refer to the activities such as developmental training and education of knowledge, ability and technology carried out by the organisation, so that individuals can get promotion, respect and achievement to the greatest extent possible

Relatively poor

Ordinary

Relatively good

Work value

The value of work mainly includes the public value that individuals create for the society through their work and the personal sense of accomplishment (for example, the work is recognised by the society or the public and promotes the development of the industry)

Low value

Ordinary

High value

Monthly income

Monthly income includes wages, bonuses and various welfare subsidies, that is, actual income

RMB 3500

RMB 5000

RMB 6500